A resource for collectors of Late Roman AE coins. Types, rarities, and commentary. Also, type sets by emperor.

This is a fun area to collect because the history is interesting and the coins are among the least expensive of all ancient coins, while there are many rare types that can be found occasionally to keep you interested (for decades, in my case!).
To the right is a coin of the very common Type 5 of the emperor Valens (AD 364-378).

(This is an educational site, not a sale site. If you want to see coins like these for sale, look here.)

What's New? July 23, 2017. Magnus Maximus type set. Links to the type sets.
May 5, 2017: Gratian type set. Theodosius type set.
March 17-24: Navigation improved--it is now easier to go to the types, their images, and back.
March 16, 2016: The very common Type 5 images (type illustrated above) have been put on one long page, as have those of Type 6. An illustrated type set for Procopius.
Dec. 2, Valentinian I type set, illustrated.
Dec. 2, 2015. Valentinian III type set, illustrated.
Nov. 29, 2015. Theodosius II type set, illustrated. (Type sets have been given in tables before, but not with the types illustrated.)
Nov. 2, 2015. An unlisted mintmark variety of Aelia Flaccilla, Type 23 (second on the page of images).
June 24, 2015: Rare Valentinian III types: VOT/XX (Type 72) and VOT/XV (Type 77).
March 9, 2015. A very rare Gratian/VICTORIA AVGG, AE3, Type 14.
Feb. 12, 2015: A very rare Valens/FELICITAS ROMANORVM Type 11.
May-Nov. 7, 2014. A rare Type 4 Valens/GLORIA ROMANORVM with Victory left (which usually has legend SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE). The new one is the third one down. An image of Type 75, an AE2 of Theodosius II and Valentinian III, on this page below. A Procopius of Type 7 with the unexplained "mushroom-shaped" thing on the exergual line. A rare Theodosius II/cross Type 68 with cross above the head (6th one down). A rare Type 14 Valentinian II/VICTORIA AVGGG AE3 from Trier (fourth one down).

References for the fascinating history of the period are listed here. For the primary ancient source for Valentinian and Valens, see Ammianus Marcellinus: The Later Roman Empire (AD. 354-378) translated by Walter Hamilton, Penguin Books, 1986 (which is very inexpensive). Books 26-31 cover Valentinian I through the death of Valens at the Battle of Adrianople. This is 130 pages of an original ancient source. Highly recommended.
Several modern histories on the page of historical references are also well-written and enjoyable. For numismatic references, see below.

Copyright (c) Warren W. Esty. All rights reserved. You are encouraged to print the tables for personal use as a collecting checklist, and for that you have my permission. However, no other reproduction is allowed without my explicit written permission (which I will likely give if you ask).If you would like to discuss the coins of this time period,e-mail me at:

Rarity notes: There are huge numbers of types 1-8 coming out of the Balkans now and the old RICIX rarity ratings from 1933 are not up to date for any mint that sent coins to the Balkans, particularly Siscia, Thessalonica, and Sirmium, as well as, to a lessor extent, other nearby eastern mints. Therefore, I have changed some of the ratings. Those changed to more common are in this color (dark red). Those changed to rarer are in this color (dark green). Types 7 and 8, of Procopius, were "R2" or "R3" in RIC, but are now common. However, they are still "scarce" in nice condition, hence the "S" in the rarity column.

Type notes:4 has the type of SECVRITAS REPVBLICAE with the legend GLORIA ROMANORVM8A, a relatively recent discovery, was not listed in RIC.11 has the type of SECVRITAS REPVBLICAE but the legend FELICITAS ROMANORVM.12 VICTORIA AVGGG, is very similar to several other types in the tables. Type 12 is difficult to distinguish from Type 44, which is a continuation of the same type at Trier with GG instead of GGG for a short while after the death of Theodosius. Type 14 is similar but distinctly larger. Type 27 is similar, but has 2 G's for Magnus Maximus. An example with GG for Theodosius is probably just an error. Type 55 is similar but cruder, usually with type too large for the flan.

Table 2: Types initiated 378-395 (After the death of Valens and before the death of Theodosius. This table finishes the types of RIC IX.) (Table 2 images)

Table 2 Type notes:14 "VICTORIA AVGGG" is an AE3 of a type common as AE4 (type 12).15 and 16 are very similar. On type type 16, Constantinopolis looks right and her foot rests on a tiny prow (left) and she holds a globe to the right. On type 15, Roma looks left and holds a globe to the left. There is a variant with no globe listed under type 16.17 is just like the AE3 type 16, but smaller.20 is "irregular for Arcadius" and the two examples in DO have the "hand of God" obverse expected on type 35. 24 has an extremely rare variant: AE4. VOT / X / MVLT / XXX in wreath. RIC IX, Ant 57, "R5," which I have added in as type 24A.27 for Magnus Maximus with two G's, is very similar to type 12 which has 3 G's. 29 "VOT / V" has at least one example with an engraver's error: VOT X31 "VIRTVS EXERCITI": For Arcadius at Constantinople the obverse spells out the whole title "AVGVSTVS", but always as "AVGVSIVS" with "I" for "T". Reference works do not seem to acknowledge this. Is the substitution because the pronunciation was changing? Elsewhere, the usual "AVG" is found.36 "SPES ROMANORVM, camp gate." This is the only type of Flavius Victor in AE.37 and 38 are similar. Type 37 is AE3, "camp gate," has bust left and is "scarce" in RIC, but really is quite rare. It is an AE3 with the same reverse as type 38.38 AE4, "camp gate," with bust right, has an AE3 version, type 37, with consular bust left.39 AE4, "SALVS REPVBLICAE, Victory left drags captive" was issued over many years with minor variations treated as one type here. After AD 395 it has a chi-rho in field left. A cruder version with the same types was minted by Johannes for himself and Theodosius II (type 60).

Tables 2 and 2A complete the list of types in RIC IX, which ends at AD 395 with the death of Theodosius, part way through the reigns of Arcadius and Honorius. DO begins with all issues of Arcadius (beginning in 383) and Honorius (beginning in 393), but has no coins of Theodosius I. The types of Arcadius and Honorius in Table 2 can be found in both RIC IX and DO. RICX resumes in 395 where RICIX leaves off.

Table 3: Types initiated AD 395-423, after the death of Theodosius I and before Valentinian III. Only Arcadius, Honorius, and Theodosius II. (These types are in RIC X and DO.)Size note: AE3's and AE4's are of reduced sizes, so an "AE3" in this table is smaller than an AE3 from Tables 1 or 2. (Table 3 images)

Table 3 rarity notes: In this and the following time period even the "common" coins may be very difficult to find in a pleasing condition. Most types are crowded or very crowded. Most of the coins circulated a long time and are very worn. In terms of the number of "full VF" coins offered, a "rare" coin in this period is as hard to find as an "extremely rare" coin of an earlier century.

Identification note: Coins of Theodosius II often have a star behind the head. If a coin of "THEODOSIVS" has a star behind the head, it is Theodosius II, not Theodosius I.

Table 3 type notes:44 "VICTORIA AVGG" is a continuation of type 12 with GG for GGG. See also type 55, which is cruder. It can be confused with type 27. Type 14 is a larger AE3 version.45Table 3A,1 is the same type, but (accidentally?) for Eudoxia.49 "VRBS ROMA FELIX" for Theodisius II is erroneously in RIC IX where it is attributed to Theodosius I. It also comes in a very reduced size with much of the type off the flan (Here is an example).52 "two emperors with globe" was called "emperor receiving globe from Jupiter" in LRBC.56, and 57: Eudoxia's obverses have "hand of God" crowning her.56 "SALVS REIPVBLICAE" has Victory inscribing shield variously with chi-rho, chi-iota, or cross.58 and 59 are the only AE for Maximus, AD 410-411, RIC p.351.

Table 4: Types initiated AD 423-450 (Theodosius II and Valentinian III)Note: AE3's and AE4's are of much reduced sizes, so an "AE3" in this table is smaller than an AE3 from Tables 1 or 2. (Table 4 images)

Rarity notes: Typical coins from this period are in even worse shape than those from the previous period. Most coins are unevenly struck and very crowded. Most coins are very worn. Legends are misspelled and usually mostly missing. A "full flan and VF" example would be almost unimaginable. "F with half the legend" would be excellent.

Table 4 type notes:60 "SALVS REIPVBLICAE, Victory drags captive": The style is very crude compared to the otherwise similar type 39.64 VIRTVS ROMANORVM may be spelled "VRTVS" [sic]. LRBC 175-177.69RICX lists 2151 as a "[SALVS REI]PVBLICA" legend with this design. p.380. See the supplementary table.72 "VOT PVB, camp gate" is the most commonly offered type for Valentinian III in AE. It is like type 82, but with a different legend.74 "VT / XXX /V in wreath" is very similar to "VT / XXX in wreath" which is "R4" (and type 4A2 in the supplement) but of uncertain existence in RICX. The type without the terminal "V" may exist, and this may be an example, but, this piece evokes the same concerns that there may actually be a weak "V" at the end. See type 74 for further discussion of this piece.76 "monogram of Theodosius II" has five minor monogram varieties82 "CASTRA(N), camp gate" is like VOT PVB, type 71, but with a different legend

Contents of Tables The rows list types. The columns list: AE size, description, ID number, dates, and emperors. Entries give each a rarity rating. Underlined and colored entries link to images. The one bold rarity rating links to the best example. The "reverse type" and "ID" number both link to more information.Here are links to further explanations of the entries in the main tables:size, type, ID, and rarity, and abbreviations of emperor's names.Reference works and their abbreviations are listed at the end.

Image sizes are generally proportional to coin sizes, except that AE1's and 2's are enlarged slightly less than AE3's and 4's (20 mm would be only 88% as large). Scans are about 7-10k for the AE4's and 20k for the AE2's.

To search this page, use the "find" command (control-f), but note that legends are spelled with "V", not "U".Bold print in the "reverse type" column marks particularly common types or the distinguishing elements of types with similar legends.

The size is given as AE1, AE2, AE3, or AE4, as usual. Note that in the later periods the AE3's and AE4's are smaller than in the earlier periods. In fact, in the last period an "AE3" has the size that would have been "AE4" earlier and are called AE3 just because they are not the smallest pieces of the age, and "AE4" is reserved for the smallest pieces. Types commonly called "medallions" are not listed (nor are "VOTA PVBLICA" types).

Type notes: The emperor is often holding a standard or labarum which is not mentioned in the abbreviated description. Sometimes the standard has little or nothing on the banner and sometimes a chi-rho or X. Figures are often holding a "Victory on globe" which is not mentioned in the abbreviated description. The precise types may be seen in the illustrations. Types commonly called "medallions" are not listed, nor are "VOTA PVBLICA" types.

More information is linked to the "reverse type" descriptions (and "ID" number). The information includes RIC numbers and rarities by mint, and more images. Here is the format of most type pages.

The ID number is not from any text. I created it, simply attempting to be chronological or follow the order of RIC if the chronology is uncertain.

The rarity is given as C = common, S = scarce, R = rare, or 2, 3, 4, or 5 in increasing degrees of rarity.
The numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5 are taken from RIC if the type is of that degree of rarity in RIC from a single mint issue. For details of RIC's rarity ratings, click on the "reverse type" or "ID" number. If the rarity rating is in bold, an example is illustrated on the page of images of that type.
However, the rarity in the main tables on this page are somewhat modified to be of greater use to collectors. If a type was issued by several mints, a single, consolidated, degree of rarity is given which treats, for example, several R2's as merely R. However, in many cases I have overridden the RIC rarity with my own impression. In particular, the recent flood of coins from the Balkans has vaulted types like type 7 of Procopius from R3 to merely S. On the other hand, there are coins listed as "S" from several mints, or even "C" but from only one mint and officina, that I have listed as "R". This is likely to be in more in line with availability to collectors.

Rarity for Collectors. If you want to collect beautiful AE coins, this is not the time period for you. In this time period, especially in the latter half, even "common" coins may be very difficult to find in pleasing condition. Some earlier types, for example 5 and 6 (GLORIA ROMANORVM, emperor drags captive, and SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, Victory left, of Valentinian and Valens), are common with full flan and high grade. However, in the period after Theodosius I almost all AE coins are poorly struck and well worn. A well-struck, full flan VF would be rare indeed (a "condition rarity"), even when excavation reports record many (mostly terrible) examples. To see RIC rarity, mint by mint, click on the reverse type description or ID number. In the above tables I have tried to strike a balance between RIC rarity and condition rarity -- attempting to reflect what I might call "good fine condition rarity" for all those types that do not come in nice EF.

Note: In the tables I changed some rarity ratings to better indicate the current availability of the types. The rarity ratings were from RIC, and the great majority still are (they are in black in the main tables). But huge numbers of coins from the early part of this time period have been coming out of the Balkans, and the original rarity ratings in RIC are from 1933(!), so some changes are in order. Any rating in this color (dark red) is not the rating you would deduce from RIC, but one or more steps commoner. For example, type 1 used to be called "rare", but it is only "scarce" (if that) now. So, I have changed the label from "R" to "S" (note the dark red color). On the other hand, some types are rarer than you would deduce from RIC. Those that I have changed to rarer ratings are in this color (dark green). These ratings are based on my personal opinion. If I have not followed a type closely for a long time, I have not changed its rating because I cannot be confident I know that it should be changed.Bold rarity ratings denote that this site has an example illustrated.

FAQ about this page: What do all those abbreviations, bold terms, underlining, etc. mean?

Questions about this main page:

What is the purpose of this page? This page is simply a type and emperor list that indicates rarity for collectors and illustrates the types.How can I find my coin?
You can search the images for the type. If you know the emperor, you can search for his types by scanning down his column, or by going the list of names and corresponding type-sets (chronological, alphabetical). If you can read the legend, you can search for the legend (use "ctrl-F" from the top of the tables).Why are some images missing?
I just don't have images of those types. Hopefully they will appear in future revisions of this page.What does "RIC" mean?
"RIC" is the abbreviation for the standard reference "Roman Imperial Coinage." References are listed below.How are the tables organized?
They list types chronogically, by date of introduction of the type. There are four tables. The first two cover RICIX, and the last two cover RICX. The first two are divided by the death of Valens. The second two are divided by the death of Arcadius. There are type-set lists for each emperor.In the main table, what do "C", "S", "R" and "2" mean?
"C" means RIC rarity "C" for "common". "S" is for "scarce", "R" for "rare", and "2" through "5" means rarities "R2" through "R5". For more details about rarity, click here.Why are some reverse descriptions and AE sizes in bold?
Bold types are the more common types. Bold words in type descriptions emphasize distinguishing features. Bold AE size numbers indicate the size distinguishes the type from other types with similar legends.Why are some column labels in bold?Emperors represented in the table are in bold. Emperors not represented are not.Why is so much of each table empty?
The horizontal of the table serves as an approximate time line -- the same for each table. Empty columns show the type was not issued by those emperors.Does the main page list every type?
Not quite. It is complete for all known types that are definitely offical regular currency types. However, there is a supplementary page of attested types that are very rare and possibly mint errors or recording errors. Medallions are not included.What if a type was issued in two time periods?
This table lists each type only once -- by date of initial issue. Long-lasting types that continued to be issued into the time period of the next table (such as type 12 in Table 1) are listed only in the earlier table. The dates indicate the time span during which it was issued, and all emperors using the type will be noted in the earlier table.

Questions about the linked type pages:

What is the purpose of the type pages?
The type pages give more images and more evidence of the rarities of the types. Occasionally some commentary is included.What is the format of the type pages?
Here is a page outlining the format of the type pages.Some image links are in bold. What does that mean?
On the type page, the image listed in bold is the one on that page (usually the best example). For other images, click on their links.What is the significance of the one image at the top if the page?
It is chosen to be the best illustration of the reverse type.The mint names are abbreviated. What are their full names?
See the format page. By the way "xx" means the mintmark is illegible and the mint uncertain.Why do you list the numbers of photos in various references, but not reproduce the photos?
The numbers (and associated mints) tell you something of the rarity of the type. The photos are under copyright. This list is not intended to obviate the need for the basic references.What is "Cayon"?
See the list of references next for all questions about cited references.I find RIC X hard to use. How can I find an emperor's types in RIC X?
I had to make a short list correlating emperors and pages.

How to use these tables: 1) Identify the type by size, legend, and design in the two columns on the left, or, use the images to identify the type by ID number, or, search the list of issuers (next below) for types issued by each. 2) Find the issuers and associated rarities in the columns on the right. 3) Find the dates of issue and the Esty ID number in the middle columns. 4) For more information, click on the type (legend and design) or on the ID number.

Go to FAQ about this page: What do all those abbreviations, bold terms, underlining, etc. mean?Some types and images open in new windows. If you click on a link on this page and nothing seems to happen, look in a window already open underneath (use the task bar).

Caveats. Most of the types listed here are well-attested, but some are not. It is not always possible to know if some extremely rare type was intentional and therefore deserving of a place in a list of official types, or merely an anomoly -- perhaps even an ancient counterfeit.
For example, type 17 has the design of type 16, but on a distinctly smaller flan. The fine execution of the one pictured example I have seen suggests it is official and intentionally smaller, but its great rarity suggests it is not both official and intentional. This one I chose to include in the main list. Other attested types have been relegated to a table of supplemental types that are listed in reference works, but which are possibly mint errors or recording errors.
In the final time period the workmanship was so crude that the intended spelling of some legends is uncertain. Then minor spelling variants may all be grouped under one type. For example, the legend of type 64 is usually found, as listed in table 4, with an apparent misspelling, but this is not to say it is never spelled otherwise.

References
For references to the history of the period, click here.
The main scholarly numismatic references for the period are:

RIC Roman Imperial Coinage, volumes IX, by Pierce, which covers 364-395, and
volume X, by Kent, which covers 395-498LRBC Late Roman Bronze Coinage, part II, by Carson and Kent,
which covers the whole time period, andDO Catalog of the Late Roman Coins in the Dumbarton Oaks Collection, by Grierson and Mays,
which covers from Arcadius and Honorius to 498Hahn Moneta Imperii Romani Byzantini, Die Ostpragung des Romischen Reiches im 5. Jahrhundret (408-491),
by Wolfgang Hahn.

RICIX has extensive photographic coverage of the types, but with poor to mediocre photos. It has extensive discussion of the types and mints. RICX has virtually complete photographic coverage (by mint, emperor, and type) with excellent photos. RICX also has very extensive commentary. LRBC pictures one reverse of each type, but never the obverses. It is just a list by mint and time period, with no discussion. DO (Late Roman Coins) has 37 excellent page plates with hundreds of coins photographed, and very extensive discussion of the types and reigns. Hahn lists and dates all coin types of Theodosius II, Honorius, Pulcheria, and Eudocia from each eastern mint (but not from western mints) with excellent photographs of each, sometimes picturing several examples and sometimes including enlargements. Its 46 pages of discussion are in German.

For additional scholarly references on coins of the period, and comments on what they say, see my additional references page.

Three other books have some photographic coverage (but not discussion) of this material:

Cayon For photographic coverage of the coins of the period of RICIX, short of RIC, the best source I know of is a price guide in Spanish by Juan Cayon, Compendio de las Monedas del Imperior Romano, volume IV (Constans - 498). (By the Way, Volume III has excellent photos for the Tetrachy through Constantine II.) The given prices should be ignored, but common types may be illustrated with half a dozen examples, and all but the rarest types are illustrated. The author seems to have listed virtually every AE type in RICIX, so, even when it has no photo, the type is usually listed.

HunterRoman Imperial Coins in the Hunter Coin Cabinet, volume V, by Anne Robertson, has 19 page plates of coins (mostly not AE) from Valentinian I to 498 (and 77 more plates from the reform of Diocletian to Valentinian, for which it is excellent for AE). It is basically a list and photos of coins in a collection, with almost no discussion, not at all like RIC or DO. Most of the common AE types are pictured, but the collection has few AE rarities. Hunter has no AE of Theodosius II or Valentinian III.

J. W. E. Pearce, "AES coinage of Valentinian I: The evidence from hoards," NC 1948, 66-77. Gives hoard numbers for types 2, 4, 5 and 6, as well as the numbers he gathered for RICIX.

John Kent, "The Coinage of Arcadius (395-406)," NC 1991, pp. 35-57 and plates 13-18. An extensive study of the AE coinage in preparation for writing RICX, fully illustrated.

J. P. C. (John) Kent, "The fifth century bronze coinage of Honorius in Italy and Gaul," RIN 90 (1988) pp. 281-293 (including two page plates). A study of the AE of Honorius in preparation for writing RICX, with some corrections of RICIX.

Distinguishing emperors: Valentinian I has a full, heavy face. Valentinian II is depected as younger and thinner. Valentinian III's coins are distinguished from those of Valentinian II primarily by type and occasionally by their remarkably crude engraving. Some AE pieces of Valentinian III, but not many, are distinguished by "PL" (for "Placidus") preceeding VALENTINIANVS in the obverse legend
Similarly, Theodosius II is distinguished from Theodosius I primarly by type, and occasionally by the cruder engraving. Some of the expected indicators do not work. Coins of Theodosius I can be poorly struck and worn, and even smaller than coins of Theodosius II. Furthermore, Theodosius I can look quite young, even though he was a mature adult and Theodosius II was a child emperor. But, for example, type 55 of Theodosius II is much cruder than the similar type 12 for Theodosius I. The one indicator, not always present, that certainly indicates Theodosius II is a star behind the head or neck (although, if the legend is gone it could be Honorius).

Referencing this list: To refer to types using this list, cite the type number and append the imperial abbreviation. For example, type 5 of Theodosius would be "Esty type 5 for Theodosius" or "Esty 5T" or "Esty T-5."

You may e-mail me at:

Comments and corrections, or simply ancient-coin chat, are very welcome. You can help me by letting me know about broken links, typos, errors, etc.